Mirror package

ABSTRACT

A mirror package comprising a flat body fabricated of corrugated paper or the like having a length and transverse extent greater than the mirror to be centeredly disposed on one face thereof so as to create a border or surround; a spacer and a retaining member being registeringly mounted at each end of said body for creating a recess to accept the end portion of the mirror and having constraining arms extending diagonally across corner portions of said mirror. A centrally disposed strap-forming band extending across the intermediate zone of the mirror with said band, at its end portions, being secured to confronting zones of said border; the said spacers, retainers, and transverse band being constructed from the same blank as said body.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Bernard Nathan;

Gary L. Tate, both 01 Vincennes, Ind. [21] Appl. No. 840,344 [22] Filed July 9, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 31,1971 [73} Assignee Hamilton 01 Indiana, Inc.

Vlneennes, Ind.

[54] MIRROR PACKAGE 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. C1. 206/62 R, 229/40, 229/87 R [51] Int. Cl. 865d 65/10, 865d 85/48 [50] Field olsareh 206/62, 76 FR, 72, 60 R; 229/40. 87 R [56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,715,533 6/1929 Bowersock 229/87 R 2,005,967 6/1935 Berdan 229/87 R X 2,144,071 1/1939 Loth 206/62 R Primary Examiner1oseph R. Leclair Assistant ExaminerStevcn E. Lipman Attorney-Ralph W. Kalish ABSTRACT: A mirror package comprising a flat body fabricated of corrugated paper or the like having a length and transverse extent greater than the mirror to be centeredly disposed on one face thereof so as to create a border or surround; a spacer and a retaining member being registeringly mounted at each end of said body for creating a recess to accept the end portion of the mirror and having constraining arms extending diagonally across comer portions of said mirror. A centrally disposed strap-forming band extending across the intermediate zone of the mirror with said band, at its end portions, being secured to confronting zones of said border; the said spacers, retainers, and transverse band being constructed from the same blank as said body.

I FIG. 3 F4 If g INVENTORS BERNARD NATHAN GARY L. TATE BY Q -Ax. Q

ATTOR N EY MIRROR PACKAGE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to packaging and, more particularly, to a mirror package for facilitating display and handling thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for mirrors and like flat objects which may be formed from a single blank of suitable material from which may be cut components for retaining the mirror against inadvertent shifting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mirror package of the type stated which is uniquely adapted for use with elongated or so-called door mirrors whereby the same, despite the relative size thereof, may be expeditiously handled for merchandizing, storing, display and transport purposes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mirror package of the type stated which, while retaining the mirror against inadvertent displacement, simultaneously permits of exposure of maximum portions of said mirror for inspection by purchasers.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a mirror package of the type stated which may be most economically produced, permitting of facile assembly; which is durable and reliable in usage for protecting the retained mirror or like article; and which may be disposed of after removal of the mirror for its indicated functional purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front view of a mirror package constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the present invention illustrating same fully assembled, operative condition.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the blank for forming the package shown in FIG. 1 and indicating, in phantom lines, the detachable secured components.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, front view of the mirror package in fully assembled operative condition, but with portions of the retainer and spacer broken away.

FIG. 4 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal, transverse view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention. A generally designates a package for a mirror M or like flat article. For purpose of illustration herein, mirror M is of the elongate or so-cal'led door-character, having a greater height than width, and is suitably encased in a decorative frame 1' as of wood, plastic, or the like.

Package A is formed from a single blank I of sheet material such as corrugated paper, cardboard, kraflboard, etc. approximately one-eighth inch to one-fourth inch in thickness and comprising a main body 2 of greater length and transverse extent than the framed mirror M so that when the latter is placed centeredly upon said body 2 the exposed portion thereof, projecting beyond frame f, will constitute a rectangular border or surround 3 of constant transverse extent with respect to said framed mirror M. For enhancing the appearance of package A the comers of body 2 may be rounded, as at 4.

Fixed, as by staples 5 or like fastening elements, to each end of said border 3 is a general U-shaped spacer 6, having a web 7 which coincides with the transverse, end portions of said border 3, and relatively short legs 8, 8', said latter overlying the adjacent end portions of the side components of said border 3. It will, thus be seen by reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 that spacer 6 is aligned at its outer edge, throughout its extent with the proximate margins of body 2 and on its inner edge will abut against mirror M, or frame f, as the case may be, so as to enhance the positioning of the latter upon said body 2.

Mounted upon each spacer 6 on its forward face, or that remote from body 2, is a retainer 9 being likewise of general U-shape, having a web 10 and legs 11, II which latter are of like width as web 7 and legs 8, 8', respectively, of the adjacent spacer 6 so as to register with the same, but obscuring the latter from view. Legs II, II of retainer 9 are of slightly increased length relative to legs 8, 8' of the respective spacer 6 for extension therebeyond as in the zones indicated at l2, l2. Extending generally diagonally from each zone I2, 12 is a constraining arm 13, 13', respectively, which, at its opposite end, is integral with web 10 of the particular retainer 9. Each retainer 9 is provided with a pair of triangular apertures I4, 14 defined by the inner edge of the relative constraining arm 13, I3 and the adjacent inner margins of web I0 and legs I I, II; which apertures 14, I4 will, thus, cause the proximate corner portions of frame f to be exposed therethrough. Spacers 6 and retainers 9 are preferably of like material as blank 1 so as to have relative rigidity but be capable of bending under applied force. Since zones I2, 12' extend beyond edge of said legs 8, 8' of spacers 6 the same will be bent over the end edge of said legs 8, 8' so as to present the inner or end face of zones l2, 12' in flatwise disposition upon the confronting portions of border 3. Since constraining arms 13, I3 project from extended zones 12, 12' the same must necessarily be slightly bent outwardly from the plane of body 2 for disposition across the proximate portion of framed mirror M to serve, thereby, as a strap for maintaining the received mirror against displacement from body 2 in its end portions. It will, accordingly, be seen that spacer 6 and retainer 9 coact with the underlying part of border 3 to create a recess, indicated generally at r, for accepting the corresponding end portions of framed mirror M with constraining arms 13, I3 serving to hold the same against dislodgement from said recess r. As may best be seen in the drawings, staples 5 may be used to simultaneously secure retainers 9 and spacers 6 in operative condition upon body 2. Such elements are also easily detached so that the contained mirror can be quickly and safely withdrawn from package A for use. However, it is to be understood that other types of fastening means may be utilized and staples 5 are shown for purposes of illustration.

Extending transversely, substantially across the center of package A is a band 15, fixed at its ends to the underlying portions of border 3, as by staples 16, so that said band, by reason of the combined thickness of the mirror and its frame f, must be bent outwardly from the plane of body 2, as at 17, I7, for snug embracing of said framed mirror M; thereby serving in the character of a strap to prevent any undesired parting of said mirror M from body 2 between the ends of the latter. If desired, band 15, in one end portion, may be die-cut to provide a flap l8 swingable about a scored fold line 19; said flap I8 overlying an opening 20 provided in the aligned portion of border 3 so that said flap 18 may be swung therethrough to establish a convenient grip or handle aperture.

As can be readily determined by reference to FIG. I, mirror M is reliably retained upon body 2 at its opposite ends by spacers 6 and retainers 9 and intermediate its ends, by band 13; yet with simultaneous, substantially complete exposure of its forward face, allowing for ready inspection by a would-be purchaser. Package A, through its components, maintains mirror M spacedly from the edges of body 2 so as to protect same against damaging impact with adjacent objects. Said package A is uniquely contrived, therefore, to facilitate handling of mirror M for merchandising and display purposes as well as for transportation, either individually or as part of an assemblage, while shielding said mirror M against contact with objects or forces normally encountered during display and transport which might be productive of injury.

With reference being now made to FIG. 2, it will be seen that package A may be self-sufficient in that the said spacers 6, retainers 9 and transverse band 15 can be formed unitarily with blank I. Thus, by suitable diecutting said components may be defined through lines of spaced perforations or scoring so that the same may be punched-out" from the plane of body I in fully formed condition, for assemblage of package A. It is especially observed that the aforesaid elements are so arranged and relatively positioned within blank 1 that subsequent to removal, the integrity of said blank 1 will not be lost; that is, that there will be connecting portions throughout its length so as to conduce to body 2 providing a suitable base for the retained article, as, in this case, mirror M.

Accordingly, by the novel incorporation of the said components as "knock-outs marked savings in production will be achieved, rendering package A suitable for high volume, low cost production.

Having described our invention what we claim and desire to obtain by Letter Patent is:

l. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like flat article; said flat member having opposed end and opposed side portions and being of greater area than the mirror to be disposed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror; the area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, a U-shaped spacer member mounted on said border adjacent the opposed end portions of said flat member, said spacer member having a transverse dimension substantially the same as the transverse dimension of said border, a retainer member having first and second portions; said first portion being of U-shaped configuration and presented in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and the first portion of said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a U-shaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of said mirror, said retainer member second portion engaging said mirror for maintaining same within said U-shaped recess against displacement from said flat member.

2. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like tat article; said flat member having opposed end and opposed side portions and being of greater area than the mirror to be disposed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror, the area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, means at each end portion of said border comprising a spacer member mounted on said border, a retainer member in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a U-shaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of said minor, means integral with said retainer member for maintaining said mirror within said recess against displacement from said flat member, each spacer being of general U-shape, having a web portion for registration with the web of the adjacent spacer and having legs for alignment with the legs of the proximate spacer, but being of greater length, said retainers including mirror constraining arms progressing from said extending leg portions to the related web, and means for securing said spacers and retainers fixedly to said flat member.

3. A mirror package as defined in claim 1, and further characterized by a straplike member presented intermediate the length of said mirror, having opposite end portions overlying the adjacent zones of said border, and means for securing said end portions upon said flat member.

4. A mirror package as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said straplike member having a flap cut therein; said flap being connected to said straplike portion through a fold line about which said flap may be swung; said flat member having a slot provided on said border in the region of an end portion of said straplike member; said flap and said slot being adapted for registration so that said flap may be swung through said slot to establish a handle thereby.

5. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like flat article;

said flat member havi o sed end and o sed side ortions and being of gretii er i than the mirr o be disp sed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror, the area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, means at each end portion of said border comprising a spacer member mounted on said border, a retainer member in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a U-shaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of said mirror, means integral with said retainer member for maintaining said mirror within said recess against displacement from said flat member, said latter means comprising constraining arms disposed diagonally across the adjacent corner portions of said mirror; each retainer member having a pair of triangular apertures; each aperture having an edge coincident with an edge of the adjacent constraining arm; the dimension of said apertures corresponding to the dimensions of the corner portions of said mirror or like flat article for extension of the latter through said apertures.

6. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like flat article; said flat member having opposed end and opposed side portions and being of greater area than the mirror to be disposed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror, the area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, means at each end portion of said border comprising a spacer member mounted on said border, a retainer member in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a U-shaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of said mirror, means integral with said retainer member for maintaining said mirror within said recess against displacement from said flat member, a straplike member presented between the opposite end portions of said flat member for restrainingly maintaining the adjacent portion of said mirror upon said flat member; said flat member and said straplike member having a slot provided therein; said slots being adapted for registration when said straplike member is in mirror-restraining condition to create a handle within the border of said flat member.

7. A mirror package as defined in claim 6, and further characterized by said spacer members, retainer members and said straplike member being cut from said flat member.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,602,367 Dated At gpst 31, .197].

Inventor(s) BERNARD NATHAN and GARY TATE It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[ In the Claims Column 3, Claim 2, line 36 "tat" should be -----flat---;

same claim, line 52, after 'web" insert --for overlying the related end portion of said border and a pair of short legs for superimposition upon side portions of said border, each retainer being of general U-shape, having a web---.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of March 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like flat article; said flat member having opposed end and opposed side portions and being of greater area than the mirror to be disposed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror; the area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, a Ushaped spacer member mounted on said border adjacent the opposed end portions of said flat member, said spacer member having a transverse dimension substantially the same as the transverse dimension of said border, a retainer member having first and second portions; said first portion being of U-shaped configuration and presented in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and the first portion of said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a Ushaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of said mirror, said retainer member second portion engaging said mirror for maintaining same within said U-shaped recess against displacement from said flat member.
 2. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like tat article; said flat member having opposed end and opposed side portions and being of greater area than the mirror to be disposed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror, The area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, means at each end portion of said border comprising a spacer member mounted on said border, a retainer member in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a U-shaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of said mirror, means integral with said retainer member for maintaining said mirror within said recess against displacement from said flat member, each spacer being of general U-shape, having a web portion for registration with the web of the adjacent spacer and having legs for alignment with the legs of the proximate spacer, but being of greater length, said retainers including mirror constraining arms progressing from said extending leg portions to the related web, and means for securing said spacers and retainers fixedly to said flat member.
 3. A mirror package as defined in claim 2, and further characterized by a straplike member presented intermediate the length of said mirror, having opposite end portions overlying the adjacent zones of said border, and means for securing said end portions upon said flat member.
 4. A mirror package as defined in claim 3 and further characterized by said straplike member having a flap cut therein; said flap being connected to said straplike portion through a fold line about which said flap may be swung; said flat member having a slot provided on said border in the region of an end portion of said straplike member; said flap and said slot being adapted for registration so that said flap may be swung through said slot to establish a handle thereby.
 5. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like flat article; said flat member having opposed end and opposed side portions and being of greater area than the mirror to be disposed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror, the area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, means at each end portion of said border comprising a spacer member mounted on said border, a retainer member in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a U-shaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of said mirror, means integral with said retainer member for maintaining said mirror within said recess against displacement from said flat member, said latter means comprising constraining arms disposed diagonally across the adjacent corner portions of said mirror; each retainer member having a pair of triangular apertures; each aperture having an edge coincident with an edge of the adjacent constraining arm; the dimension of said apertures corresponding to the dimensions of the corner portions of said mirror or like flat article for extension of the latter through said apertures.
 6. A mirror package comprising a flat member for disposition against one face thereof of a mirror or like flat article; said flat member having opposed end and opposed side portions and being of greater area than the mirror to be disposed thereon for presenting an exposed border surrounding said mirror, the area of said flat member being so related to that of the mirror or like flat article as to cause said border to be of constant transverse extent when said mirror is centered upon said flat member, means at each end portion of said border comprising a spacer member mounted on said border, a retainer member in superimposed position upon said spacer member, said spacer member and said retainer member cooperating with said flat member to define a U-shaped recess for engaging the adjacent edge portion of sAid mirror, means integral with said retainer member for maintaining said mirror within said recess against displacement from said flat member, a straplike member presented between the opposite end portions of said flat member for restrainingly maintaining the adjacent portion of said mirror upon said flat member; said flat member and said straplike member having a slot provided therein; said slots being adapted for registration when said straplike member is in mirror-restraining condition to create a handle within the border of said flat member.
 7. A mirror package as defined in claim 6, and further characterized by said spacer members, retainer members and said straplike member being cut from said flat member. 